The student's parents say he is autistic, and it would be in everyone's best interests if he was placed on house arrest. However, the judge ruled he would be placed in the Juvenile Detention Center due to the severity of the case.

The student's parents say he is autistic, and it would be in everyone's best interests if he was placed on house arrest. However, the judge ruled he would be placed in the Juvenile Detention Center due to the severity of the case.

Meeks-Speller has been on paid suspension since August. A 16-year-veteran with the district, she was accused of being insubordinate, and physically rough with students. Parents complained that Meeks-Speller hit, scratched, pinched and smacked their son.

The board also found she didn't treat students with respect, and improperly criticized staff at Spring Elementary for reporting a suspected case of child abuse to the Children's Services Board.

Meeks-Speller's attorney says a state-appointed referee recommended the district not terminate her contract, saying TPS failed to prove 95 percent of the allegations against her.

Meeks-Speller walked out of the meeting and refused to comment on her termination, but her brother did.

"She's a beautiful person," said Oswald Meeks. "She's educated. Prior students and students today love her, and what they just did in there is not Sandra and I don't appreciate it. "I don't think the other students out there appreciate it."